Matt Smith’s Doctor will regenerate in the 2013 Christmas special (Picture: BBC)

Since Matt Smith announced last month that he would be leaving Doctor Who, there has been a frenzy of speculation as to who would be the next actor to play sci fi’s most coveted role.

Whovians were quick to suggest their favourites and compiled a list of traits fussier than your average dating profile.

A few names came up several times, notably Benedict Cumberbatch, who is rather busy with Sherlock, Helen Mirren, who is interested in being the first female Doctor, and Zawe Ashton from Fresh Meat, who took to Twitter to say that she was hugely flattered.

With the official announcement not until August and the show security so tight, anticipation is high as to who will finally become the Doctor # 12. So who could it be and who should it be?

Rory Kinnear is a red hot favourite for the role (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Who will?

Earlier this month the BBC were quick to deny that Skyfall star Rory Kinnear had been offered the role. This hasn’t been enough to convince bookies who have suspended betting on Kinnear after making him a dead cert.

I think this could all be a clever bluff. Remember David Morrissey being cast in Christmas special The Next Doctor? I wouldn’t put it past showrunner Steven Moffatt to have engaged several high profile actors in an ‘I am Spartacus’ scenario.

Ben Whishaw says he won’t be the next Doctor (Picture: Reuters)

Who won’t?

Ben Whishaw denied earlier this week that he had been offered the role.

He said: ‘It’s not going to be me. But I don’t mind – I don’t think you can be Q and Doctor Who. It would be a bit wrong.’

This is a relief, as the part was in danger of being given to the actor with the best hair. Eddie Marson, who won rave reviews as Dr Ludwig Guttman in last year’s The Best of Men, is another popular public choice, but has also denied any offer being made.

Who could?

Dominic Cooper has also been linked; he is enthusiastic but swears his agent hasn’t been contacted, likewise Domhall Gleeson.

Homeland’sDavid Harewood, a hot tip to be the first black Doctor, has said he would make the Doctor a ‘badass’ if he got the part, so I think I’d prefer it if he didn’t.

Misfits’ Nathan Stewart-Jarret (Picture: Getty)

Who should?

My choice for the Doctor? Well, I’m not convinced it is essential to the feminist cause to have a female Doctor, but Zawe Ashton would be an awesome choice.

I’ve also considered This Is Englandstar Joe Gilgun, but his multiple tattoos might make more conservative viewers prefer him as the next Master.

I’d pick Gilgun’s fellow Misfits star, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett.

This would give us our first black Doctor, but more importantly, Stewart-Jarrett can easily play the gentle sensitive type and the strong leader. He’s also shown a gift for humour.

And he’d look great at the TARDIS helm.

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